To aru noroi no deep blood

Chapter 3 : unexpected meeting

In a certain high school...

Charles was waiting for Kamijou in the locker-room, his back leaned against the locker belonging to him. He was looking at the ceiling with his arm crossed and was lost his in thought, when some girls from his classroom suddenly snapped him out of his reflection. One of them frowned at him with a look you would see on someone's face who see his fallen hero. She asked if he was fine since they were worried about him that he had beaten by the "self-proclaimed class representative" with two hits, what was quite a feat if you knew she was able to floor the three of the "baka" trio with a single hit. Fortunately for him, the training he had practiced since he was younger made him tough enough to endure the pain. He just answered her he had seen worse, with a relieved smile, and then he patted her left shoulder with his right gloved hand, thanking her for her concern. After being reassured, the girls left the school. Charles has been told Japanese students were quite excited when they had to greet a foreigner, but he didn't hope it would be that much.

Kamijou arrived just after the girls left. He was panting and some sweat drops were trickling along his temples and forehead. Apparently, there was something he had to do in a hurry.

-Sorry to keep you waiting! said the spiky haired boy as he recovered his normal breath while bending forward and holding up the weight of his upper body with his hands put on his knees. I forgot I was on fatigue duty and had to clean our classroom with Tsuchimikado and Aogami.

-You look like you just ran a marathon, he said slightly surprised. You didn't have to overdo it since it's Friday. I would even have helped you if you asked for it.

-No way I would do this! replied Kamijou as he stood up and waved his hand to emphasize his refusal. For the spiky haired boy, asking for someone's help to fulfill a task he shouldn't have to do was rude.

-Well, it looks like you finished what you had to do here. Are you sure it doesn't bother you to accompany me for a tour? he asked again, a bit embarrassed as this person seemed to be very much in demand.

-I'm fine and besides, I never go back on my words, said Kamijou as he looked his classroom mate in the eyes, stressing his last phrase.

-Someone who never go back on his word... It has become quite unusual these days, whispered the french boy to himself while closing his eyes briefly and removing his back from the closer.

Once Kamijou and Charles took back their belongings stored in their locker, they exited the high school, whose remedial classes had started for students who had difficulties for certain subjects. For once, Kamijou considered he was lucky he didn't have to intend them.

The streets were filled with students from many different schools and grades, each one of them was wearing a uniform representative of the school he was attending to. Seeing a city where the adults were only a minor part of the population was quite unusual for Charles, whose surprise could be seen on his face, although he was trying to hide it. Apart its demography, Academy City would look like any modern city but the thirty years of technology this city had ahead of its time, in comparison with the rest of the world, were amazing for any newcomer. The blond haired boy wasn't an exception to it, as he noticed that the gap between his native country and the new place he would live in was quite big. Kamijou was amused to see his friend's reaction as he had already felt the same way when he had set foot in the city which were the spearhead of science. He massaged his chin with his right hand, while thinking where they should go.

-Is there any kind of place you would like to see first? asked Kamijou as he didn't think about any particular place to go in the first place.

-At first, I'd like to visit a place that mostly gather shops and cafe.

-Then we should go to the 15th district, he paused then said. By the way, Academy city is divided in twenty-three district and if you are planning to visit them, I advice you to avoid going to the 10th district.

-Why?

-Most of the level 0 delinquents are gathered there and they don't really like espers. You see, there is a social cleavage between them and people who don't have any ability. They blame the society for casting them aside and they transfer their hatred to people like you.

Kamijou clenched his right fist as he remembered the last night he had spent to fight Skill-Out and a certain unruly blond haired boy, in order to protect Misaka Misuzu, Misaka Mikoto's mother. Although he was classified as a level 0, he couldn't accept that people without abilities were trampling the lives of others rather than using their strength to help people in need.

Since Charles discovered his ability recently, he wasn't aware such a cleavage could exist in a place representative of a golden age. This revelation made him realize the power he had received was a gift he had to use wisely.

The ambiance suddenly deteriorated and Kamijou tried to find a way to cheer up Charles.

-Let's change the topic! quickly said Kamijou, he paused and thought about what they could talk about. You told me your ability "DNA reader" caused you pain, but it surprises me because espers can usually use their ability without hurting themselves unless something upset them.

-Hmm, how can I explain it? He crossed his arms and closed his eyes during some seconds. Well, when my skin touch someone else skin, I absorb a small fraction of his cells. Then these cells goes to my brain where they are analyzed. Unfortunately, it induces a immune reaction in my body, what leads to the secretion of cellular messengers which cause an inflammation in my head and thus, an headache.

-This sounds quite troublesome, said the spiky haired boy while scratching his head, though he didn't really understand his explanation.

-Don't worry, I can deal with it.

As they walked through the streets of the 15th district, the newcomer cast his eyes over the various shops and cafes, particularly the ones who had goods he couldn't find anywhere else. They walked nearby a park not far away from the Seventh Mist, where a crowd could be seen gathered around a certain spot. However, there wasn't any event announced today here to gather so many people. This unexpected situation aroused Kamijou's curiosity, though he had learned that it was always leading him to troubles. The two boys went toward the crowd.


Some minutes earlier...

Shirai Kuroko teleported on the roof of one the highest building in the 15th district. As she were attaching the straps she used to store her metal spikes around her thighs and her armband at her right sleeve, she contacted Uiharu Kazari via a bluetooth headset she had fixed on her right ear. Uiharu Kazari, a student from Sakugawa middle school with short black hair and a flowers' headband on her hair, was one of the member of the 177th branch of Judgment's office. Despite her weak physique, her skill in computer was unmatched, what was providing a great support to her partner who were on the front line, Shirai Kuroko.

-Where is the aggression occurring? asked Kuroko who was scouting the city from the roof.

-It is located in a park, approximately 300 meters south-east from your position but... Uihara paused as she saw the information on her screen.

-What's wrong, Uiharu-san? asked Kuroko as the odd silence let by Uiharu was ominous.

-The situation has changed and Konori-senpai is heading there, said Uihari as a certain feeling of agitation could be deduced from her tone. You should meet her there!

-Alright, I'm on my way!

Kuroko closed her eyes and calculated the trajectory towards the rendez-vous point, through the 11-space dimension. At the moment a breeze swept the leaves on the roof, she disappeared.


Meanwhile, somewhere else in the same district...

Misaka Mikotowas strolling alone in the streets and was looking for an entertainment as today was an unexpected boring day. She couldn't spend time with her friends as Shirai Kuroko and Uiharu Kazari were working at Judgment's office right now and Saten Ruiko had to attend to remedial class. She tried to entertain herself while reading some mangas at the shop she was used to do it, to the detriment of the shop's owner who expected her to buy some of them one day, but none of the publications of this week interested her. After that, she went to the game center and beat the punching machine several time but the fun time was too short. She took out some gaming tokens and put them into the pocket of her skirt. Albeit she didn't admit it, those random thugs trying to pick a fight with her were missing her. She decided to go to the park were she was used to vandalize a vending machine with high kicks, which was somehow able to stand against a thunder strike of 5 billion volts, in order to get free drinks. As the park was in her sight, she surprised herself to think about the spiky haired boy. She shook her head from side to side as she didn't understand why this thought was here in the first place. When she was in front of the vending machine, she noticed an unusual crowd gathered there. Kuroko suddenly appeared beside her.

-Kuroko? asked the electromaster with a surprised look. I thought you had paper work to do at Judgment's office.

-I' m here to investigate an aggression, Onee-sama. she answered with a serious look on her face she only had when something important was happening.

The two Tokiwadai girls approached the crowd and Misaka caught sight of a familiar face : it was Kamijou Touma. The boy turned his head and noticed her as well.

-Hey! Biribiri! Greeted Kamijou

A lighting stroke above the crowd who ducked, and was dispelled by the Imagine Breaker.

-Don't call me Biribiri! My name is Misaka Mikoto! she shouted with slightly blushed cheeks.

-Oi! I'm sorry but don't use your power recklessly when there are so many people around, apologized the boy while he was looking at his hand that was smoking a bit.

As Misaka and Kuroko went toward him, they noticed he was accompanied by an other person they have never met before.

-Is he an acquaintance of yours? asked Misaka

-He is newcomer in Academy city. Let me introduce...

Before, he could do so, Charles bend over and took Misaka's hand to kiss it.

-Good afternoon. My name is Charles Durandal but you can just call me Charles. It's a pleasure to meet a lady like you. He said as he looked up and winked at her.

-Huh? she said as she removed her hand and pulled a face.

Suddenly, a killing intent aura arose from the twin pig-tails haired girl, who couldn't stand that a man was courting her Onee-sama.

-Hi! My name is Shirai Kuroko, she said with an innocent smile while waving a nail in her hand to threat him. If you intend on "hitting on" Onee-sama, please check with me first.

Kamijou felt a feeling of "déja-vu" when she said those words. Charles looked at the nail.

-Little girls shouldn't play with such dangerous things, he said as he patted her head.

If Kuroko wasn't in her "Protect Onee-sama" mode, she wouldn't mind this affront but it wasn't the case. She put her free hand on the boy's chest and teleported him two meters above the ground, upside down.

-Hey, Kuroko! You're going too far, said the short brown haired girl as she gave a little hit on her head.

But, to the surprise of the three persons who were stuck to the ground, Charles managed to turn over and land on his two feet.

-I will take note of what you said Ms Shirai, he said without animosity towards the teleporter who almost crushed his skull.

She pouted and decided to get back to her duty as she turned back to the crowd.

-Judgment desuno! Please stand aside! shouted Kuroko while showing her insignia

The four students walked through the passage let by the crowd who had parted. There were a dozen of persons lying on the ground, who had bruises and were bleeding from their wounds, and a man curled on himself. At the moment they witnessed the crime scene, an other girl with a Judgment's armband and a first aid kit appeared. It was Konori Mii.

-Ambulances are on their way! she announced as she rushed towards the wounded.

She used her level 3 ability "Clairvoyance", which was a X-ray vision, to check them and administrated them first aid.

-At first it may looks bad, but it seems that whoever did this to them was a professional since none of their vital organs have been touched, she noted then looked at Kuroko. Did you find out any hint about what happened, Shirai-san?

-I just arrived and I didn't start my investigation yet, answered Kuroko

The teleporter looked at the suspicious man and asked him if he knew anything but he didn't say anything, though she snapped her fingers before his eyes to get his attention. Obviously, he was in shock and they wouldn't get any answer from him. Charles took a deep breath and went beside Kuroko.

-Would you mind if i give you a hand? he asked her.

Kuroko, who was a bit embarrassed she overacted some minutes ago, didn't refuse his help. He removed his right glove and pulled a tube with pills inside the pocket of his trouser. He touched the man's face with his right hand and some seconds later, he held his head with his hands and cried out in pain. The three girls got surprised but Kamijou told them it was due to his esper capacity. The suffering boy quickly swallowed one pill and the pain ceased.

-This drug seems to be handy, said Kamijou. What are these?

-These pills contains anti-inflammatory and antibody to inhibit the cellular messengers responsible of the inflammation. They are directly sent to my head via nanomachines but, due to their fast action and short duration, they only work after the pain occurs, explained Charles as he was massaging his temples. I should be able to tell you what this man saw in few hours.

For Kamijou, the only person who could fabricate such an extraordinary remedy was the Frog-faced doctor, Heaven canceler.

-Then, would you mind joining us at our office to make a statement for the time being? asked Konori who tilted her head to the left with a polite smile.

The "DNA reader" boy looked at Kamijou and bowed to apologize. Then he turned back at Konori.

-How would I refuse a proposal made by such a pretty lady? he quickly accepted the request and smiled as it seems that his instinct got over his reason.

-Come with us, Onee-sama! said Kuroko, while pulling her by the arm, as she didn't want her to stay alone with the spiky haired "barbarian" boy.

-But...

-No but, Onee-sama.

After Charles left the park with the girls and the ambulances took the wounded to the hospital, Kamijou sighed and wondered if he and Aogami were blood related.


Author note :

here we are for chapter 3, I hope I won't be too long for the next one.

P.S : Please, keep reviewing me if you see stupid grammar errors again.